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I am not an admirer of Cheney as I don't know enough to make an educated opinion about him.. However, he made the right decision. To tell those delinquent idiots in Congress about any move the CIA was about to make, would be a disaster for the United States. The CIA is a secretive agency so why in the world would it tell those eight big mouths in Congress anything.? The law should be changed to protect important state secrets and I hope Cheney can hang in there. I am wondering if there is a poll indicating the public's opinion on this controversy?

The CIA is still a part of the government. And still required to follow our system of checks and balances, and be held accountable. The CIA does not belong exclusively to the executive branch; and they are not a tool for the executive branch to avoid the system of checks and balances. Like Senator Stabenow said, this is not a dictatorship.

So this whole, "we can't hurt the morale of the CIA" defense is a load of crap.

Bottom line is that those totally incompetent morons Bush and Cheney should spend the rest of their miserable life in jail.

Please, please, please investigate this despicable human being already. The Bush/Cheney administration made a mockery of our Constitution. Mr. Cheney came into office determined to wage war against Iraq (see the memo he wrote to Clinton in 1997) and determined that he was above the law. If America is ever to regain it's moral standing in the world, these two people must be held accountable for the wrongs they carried out.

Well, even if it is true and not made up like most Democrat's accusations, why would he want to have national security secrets released to Congress when Democrats run to the press with everything they can to hurt America's national interests? We've seen in the last 6 years how many national security secrets were reported in the liberal democrat supported New York Times. Where do you suppose they get their info? From Democrat members of Congress and their staff of course. I'm sure Democrats won't agree, but they will never say that their party has ever done anything wrong, so they totally discredit themselves anyway. Bush and Cheney tried to keep us safe. Democrats tried to bring down Bush and Cheney, by trying to foil the war effort by releasing secret sensitive information to the press. No wonder Cheney would tell them not to give any info to Congress.

It's Cheney! What do you expect? He ran the country for about 7 years. We had a dictatorship! Omit it!

There is not a democrat in congress that USA taxpayers would feel comfortable with them knowing any high profile security secrets.

Congress withholds information from the American public on a daily basis. Hypocrites!

We need to settle all matters relating the Bush administration (attorney firings, prisoners…) and move on. The best way is doing in a transparent process: either by a legal proceeding or Congressional hearing. FOR ONCE, we need to resolve these problems in these tribunals, either guilty or innocence, and let the country move on.

Since this was a "program on the shelf" for future use if needed, this is not anything other than a non-issue trotted out to create a smoke screen to get Nancy Pelosi off the hook in her argument with the CIA over who lied about an alleged torture briefing. No mystery here. But the Democrats will fein concerned, dismayed , and shocked about this.

How ironic that the republican senators are defending the Bush Administration at all cost. Simply put, it reflects on their lack of oversight and the republican belief that the Bush Administration could do no wrong. President Bush totally destroyed the U.S. Economy and allowed his political contributors (Wall Street and Big Business) to run the U.S. economy into the ground while Big Business CEO got bonuses undeserved, the Bush Administration, including Cheney got extremely wealthy with their underhanded tactics with defense stocks and the unfounded War in Iraq. While they spent billions of taxpayer dollars, the Party of No wants to criticize Pres. Obama, who inherited the most awful mess on Wall Street, Main Street and around the world thanks to criminals to the like of Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, and the Republican Party.

why is it that when ever there is talk about investagating the Busch admin. the scumbag Republicans talk no threaten to investigate the Clinton Admin. lets get to the truth no matter where it leads,cheney is a dangerous man who should be in jail,Real Americans will not accept whats been going on the last eight years.

I tell you what! All republican and democratic senators that tries to down play this. We need to remember them in the election. I am saying we need to vote these people out of office that tries to cover this up. Lets try war crimes for the past administration. This will bring back trust to America.

Cheney's actions were crimes.

You notice how Sen. Gregg kept trying to make it a case of fear; by trying to insinuate that if we look into the past, that the C.I.A will be less apt to do their job? And then immediately, as damage control, Sen. Alexander inisinuated that Republicans would then want to investigate as far back as the Clinton Administration? Typical Partisan Smoke and Mirrors, folks. The Truth shall set you Free.

You notice how Sen. Gregg kept trying to make it a case of fear; by trying to insinuate that if we look into the past, that the C.I.A will be less apt to do their job? And then immediately, as damage control, Sen. Alexander inisinuated that Republicans would then want to investigate as far back as the Clinton Administration? Typical Partisan Smoke and Mirrors, folks. The Truth will set you Free.

Thank god a democratic president didn't do this. We would have to see Palin almost in tears on TV along with all the Republicans calling for action. As it is republicans play it down. Sad really.

How about those in congress and the senate strap a gun on and a vest and try going out and doing the jobs of the in the intelligence agency. After they have cleaned the urine and feces from them selves, if they live to see another day, I am sure they might shut their mouths on the issue!

Furthermore, I expect to see Cheney rear his head shortly, accompanied by his daughter.

It happened just after Pres. Obama announced procurement reform/end of no-bid contract (**cough Halliburton cough**) and the release of the torture memos.

Lastly, turns out Pelosi was telling the truth. I'm sure the Fox News viewers will attempt to change the subject and go on and on about "libs, Obamabots, socialists, marxists, communists, and lefties" making America a worse place.

If it is against the law for Cheney to withhold information from Congress then why isn't he being prosecuted?? I read one article that said the CIA wasn't going to be prosecuted for torture at a point where the CIA thought it was known to be illegial. That sure wouldn't fly in any other court in the U.S.
I have always heard that being ignorance of the law is no defence.
That should surely apply here.
I would think all court cases could fall back on a defence for being innocent because they didn't know it was illigal .
Even O.J. would have been found not guilty with that defence.
I hate to think our legal system is different for the common people as to the CIA, Justice department lawyers, and politicians.

So withholding information from Congress is a "serious breach"... but congress can pass legislation without reading the actual bill? It's not acceptable for the CIA to withhold information on a counter-terrorism plan, that never was implemented, but congress can commit billions of our tax dollars to their pet projects, slipped in a bill in the middle of the night? How screwed up is that? It seems to me that our current "checks and balance" system is the problem. Where's the transparency we were promised?

Democrats – 'We want the truth'
GOP – 'You can't handle the truth!'

typical.

Dick Cheney, was a worthless vp, he spent 3/4 of the time in the hospital. His first is what he is!!!!

Now I see why the attorney general Eric Holder is now leaning towards investigations (and prosecutions later).

It is clear that Cheney was the president over the last 8 years, while Bush spent most of his time at Crawford ranch cutting brush (it explains why he was on vacation for over third of his presidency). I think we are seeing just the tip of the iceberg in the crimes Cheney has committed in our name.

Cheney: "Bush, you go down to the ranch. I got this."

And the right-wing screamers have the balls to accuse Obama of "making us less safe and taking away our freedoms." But then again, they never could deal with reality and facts very well.

the democrats will destroy the entire CIA just to provide cover for Pelosi.

Congress is always crying foul after the damage is done. How about being pro-active instead of reactive? Congress has let the American people down over and over, cost thousands of lives in unnecessary wars, billions of wasteful dollars on pet projects, scandal, corruption among its ranks – it's deteriorated.

The Constitution of the United States DOES NOT make the Executive Branch accountable to the Congress.

This do nothing, pork barrel, congress needs to quit pointing fingers toward the past and do something about the melt down in the current economy.

How are all these people with their hands out supposed to get their "check" if congress doesn't get a move on with mortgaging our children's (and grandchildren's) futures?

Good news that some of the truth of the Bush/Cheney disastrous choke-hold on our Government for eight years will finally be told...and hopefully prosecuted!

I have never called for investigating Cheney or Bush as many in my party have, and believed moving forward was better than backward, but this is proof that Cheney was a dictator and ignored the Constitution completely. This a very serious violation, Cheney circumvented the very process that the Constitution has provided for to prevent this type of abuse of power, by hiding his actions from the legislative branch. This behavior cannot be tolerated or ignored, regardless of which party is responsible. This simply weakens the very foundation this country was founded upon and must be investigated.

I now call for his indictment and let a jury decide where Cheney spends his golden years!!!

Let's not go through the time and expense of prosecuting these criminals – they have already demonstrated they lack the integrity to be truthful to the Congress and the American people. Strip them of the honor and privileges that are bestowed to former members of the executive branch. They have lied and cheated to the American people and they do not deserve any of the honor.

this is soooooo funny. I remember republicans slamming Pelosi left and right when she said that CIA did not inform her about one thing or another. What do we see now.... that Oh, CIA actually, indeed was withholding information.... but hey I am sure our republicans with their attention span of a gold fish conveniently "forgot" this episode already...

The CIA is not who should be investigated, they were following orders from Bush and Cheney. They are the ones who should be investigated for criminal wrong doing.

Saying that the CIA is 'in the business of secrecy' as a justification is appalling! The CIA answers to the government, which in turn answers to the American people! There is a Congressional committee whose job it is to oversee such things. At the very least, they should be notified so they can decide whether anyone else needs to know, or it if is appropriate or not. Cheney saying "Don't tell Congress" is just another example of how the former administration thought itself above the law, whether domestic or international.

If the GOP does not show major concern about this issue and if they show any support for this they are in essence saying they would support a secret administration vs a democratic republic based upon our Constitution. Yes the CIA is in the secrecy business, and yes war is messy however the brillence of our form of government is the whole checks and balances. Even the CIA is subject to that. If the GOP tosses that aside then the are in essence saying they do not believe or support our most basic form of government.

the CIA is not above the law and if they commeted crimes they should be held accountable whether it hurts morale or not. those in the CIA that have a problem with morale because they have been caught breaking the law don't need to be there anyway.

What is this ? The Democrats who hold a majority in most branches of our government are talking about checks and balances ?? Me thinks white man and woman speak with forked tongue !!

What? Dick Cheney was behind this? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Kind of like the checks and balances tht allows Pelosi to shut out the Republicans on ideas and votes. Kind of like the checks and balances that allows a President to ram through huge spending bills without the Senate, Congress or People to have a chance to read them.
Checks and balances only belong to the party in charge. We need to change the way we do business in Washington. The politicians power just keeps getting stronger right before our eyes, and we do nothing.
Vote them out in 2010. Make laws that prevent special interest money, ban lobbyest, let the population vote on all bills, hold each politician accountable for their districts and States. Let's get back to basics and make this country great again. Bring the troops home and stop paying for the reconstruction of a country who has huge oil wealth potential. Stop illigal immigration now. Put our farners to work growing wheat and trade it for the same price as a barrel of oil. Make the import and export tarriffs the same for each country. Buy American again.

CIA has their mission statement. The Office of the AG has a mission statement too. Let whoever wears the hat in the AG do the job. Facts first, find the how if done and it's lawfulness. Responsibility for answers lies with history.

OMG Pelosi was...right? Yup! Swallow hard conservatives...looks like Cheney is coming back to haunt you again...

Isn't it about time this country faced up to indicting Bush and his henchmen for all the lies and illegal activities they forced the American people to endure for 8 years? Why are they above the law?

Yes it's a serious breach but for Republicans it is unimportant.It means nothing because it was committed by Republicans. Just wait until President Obama does something that Republicans feel is a breach. I mean right now they are whining that after only six months in office his plans aren't working. They are whining because they say he is tackling too much, they are whining because he is trying to do something for regular Americans.

Think about it people, Republicans went after President Clinton for eight years and came up with an affair. Nothing that harmed this country. On the other hand they have done and continue to do everything in their power to keep from investigating the possible wrong doings of the Bush administration that has truly harmed this country. But then that is their MO. They have had members of their own commit adultery, abandon their state, pay people off to hide an affair, quit in the middle of their governorship to make money, but these things are okay to them, heaven forbid that President Obama try to get all Americans covered by health insurance. The nerve of him.

if i'm not mistaking, didnt republicans blast Nancy Pelosi for saying the CIA misled congress? oh, wait, she was right...so republican apologies should be pouring in, right? LOL I think its so funny that repubs want everyone else to admit to wrongdoing but never want to admit it themselves.

Playing politics with national security should have EVERY ONE OF THESE BOOBS in congress up on charges and UNDER OATH for the good of our country.

Start with a psychological exam because they seem to suffer form a paranoia and irrational obsession with former VP and and President.

Why would these children be trusted with ANYTHING if they harm the very agency they are supposed to have oversight over.

I don't give a rats behind what a former VP did when the sec of state and others in congress plays politics to cover their own behinds.

Want Cheney charged? FINE he can testify at PELOSES impeachment and her own trial while waiting for an appeal.

Bunch of children playing at being in congress.
Partisan paranoia has hurt our county for the last eight years far more than any real life policies.

So in essence we had a shadow government for eight years....

Time to try Bush and Cheney for blatant disregard for the Constitution, and crimes against humanity for the Iraq war.

Those who violated the law should be prosecuted. That includes Cheney and the CIA leadership who knowingly withheld information from Congress. If this is swept under the rug then our Constitution goes with it.